Friends help renovate Robinson Twp. motorcycle crash victim's home

Fri, May 9, 2008    to del.icio.us

Two weeks after a motorcycle accident nearly claimed his life, Don Gardner has started the rehabilitation process.

While he works with doctors and nurses at Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids, Gardner's friends are working on his Robinson Township home, making necessary renovations after his right leg was amputated by doctors following the accident.

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According to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department, Gardner was riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson north on 120th Avenue in Robinson Township, about a quarter mile north of Lincoln Street, around 5 p.m. April 24 when he attempted to pass two northbound vehicles on the left and hit a 1974 Jeep CJ, which was attempting to make a left turn onto Fernwood Lane.

Gardner, 50, was ejected from the motorcycle upon impact, suffering injuries to his right leg, a torn rotator cup in his left shoulder and a severely dislocated left elbow, his family said. After Gardner was airlifted to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, his right leg had to be amputated above the knee.

Misty Carr, Gardner's daughter, raced to meet her mother to go to the hospital after learning about the accident. On her way, Carr said she passed by the accident scene.

"I was OK until I came around the corner," she said. "I saw one of my dad's friends who works as a volunteer firefighter. I said, 'Is my dad down there?' And he just shook his head and said, 'It's not good, Misty.'"

Gardner said he doesn't remember the accident. He regained consciousness sometime during the helicopter ride, he said.

"It's the closest I ever came to death," Gardner said, adding that he feels fortunate to survive the crash.

Considering this was Gardner's third motorcycle accident, Carr said she was not surprised to hear her father might lose his leg. Carr was more concerned for his life than his leg.

"He's pulled through some many things in the past," Carr said. "We weren't sure if he was going to make it this time."

"It was very upsetting," added Gardner's wife, Rosemary. "I heard the police officer asking for me on the phone, and all I was thinking was, 'Oh no, not again.'"

According to Rosemary Gardner, Don suffered a broken leg and arm during his first accident and his skin was grafted after catching gangrene, an infection resulting from decayed body tissue, in the second accident. Both injuries were to the same leg that was amputated following his most recent accident. disease/infection

Gardner has been motorcycling for nearly 30 years. After two accidents, he left the bike behind for awhile, and has only been riding again for the past six to eight years, Rosemary said.

"After the second accident, my mom told him he couldn't have a motorcycle until his kids were grown," Carr said. "As soon as we (Gardner's three children) were gone, he went out and got a new motorcycle and started riding again."

Gardner said rehabalitation has been busy. He moved to Mary Free Bed on Wednesday, almost two weeks after the accident.

"Things are moving slowly," Rosemary said. "It's going to be a long time, I'm sure. He has a lot of rehab ahead of him."

His wife says Don will spend two-to-three weeks at Mary Free Bed. Doctors tell the family Don should be able to walk by next year. His rehabalitation is focused on building strength and learning how to use a wheelchair.

"They're teaching him how to manipulate the wheelchair," Rosemary said. "I think the goal is just to stay in the wheelchair for now and learn to get around in that."

Gardner's friends have already begun renovations on his home, including construction on a 100-foot-long handicap ramp and replacing the front door. His friends also plan to make the bathroom handicap accessible.

"I am very, very grateful," Carr added. "That's one of the biggest worries we have is how we're going to make the house ready so we can bring him home. You don't know how much people care until something like this."

The Gardners have set up an account at Firth Third Bank for donations toward the renovation cost. Donations can be made to the Don Gardner Fundraiser account at any Fifth Third location.

The public is welcome to a benefit party from 2-6 p.m. Saturday at Ed Daigle's pole barn, 12217 Sleeper St., in Robinson Township.

The benefit includes food and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds go to Don and his family for renovations.

"You don't realize how people are really there," Rosemary said. "Everyone wants to help. Everyone wants to do what they can — it's incredible."